Chapter 31
The next day, Calem and I decide to have a battle at the Pokemon Center, and Calem says, "Sorry to keep you waiting. The reason I wanted to meet you is I want to see a Mega Evolution Battle in action. Whether you use it or not is up to you. But since I'm a Pokémon Trainer, I want to see things that make Pokémon special."
"I see... so you've got yourself a Mega Stone as well. I accept the challenge." I say.
Calem's Mega Evolution is actually Absol, and I decided to go with Mega Ampharos. In the end, I'm the victor because Mega Ampharos' Dragon Pulse doing a great job.
"Oof. I'd kind of forgotten how strong you are." Calem says while recalling Absol. "You know, there's a gap in our strength. Do you have something I don't? I guess I have to think about that... Well, good luck with your Gym Battle."
"Thanks." I say as Calem decides to leave, and we head to the Coumarine Gym, which is actually a giant tree? What is going on here?
"I guess that is what we should expect from a gym that specializes in Grass Types." Clemont says.
The gym guide is already there, and he says, "How's the bout, little sprout? You got it figured out yet, Champ? Yup! Old Man Ramos's Gym is all about Grass! It's simple, right? You see a vine hanging in front of you, and you just grab right on! And hang on for dear life! That's maybe the most important part of all, right, pal?"
It seems that all the gym trainers here are Rangers. And we also have to swing on the vines to move forward. The first Ranger is Chaise, who says, "Behold - the power of green! The power of nature!"
He uses only a Simisage, so I decide to go with Skrelp, using Acid and Poison Tail to knock it out. "From where do you get your power?"
"Training of course." I say. Not only do we have to swing, but we also have to climb, so it is not that easy. The second trainer is Brooke, who says, "My Pokemon and I will share the joy of defeating you!"
She uses a Roselia and a Wormadam, so we use Litleo to defeat them with the Fire Fang. "And now comes the flood of tears of regret!"
The third trainer is Maurice, and he's at a dead end. "Here to challenge the gym, are you? Let's see your Pokemon, then!"
He uses a Ferroseed, a Carnivine, and a Lombre, so I decide to go with Heracross this time to defeat all of the Pokemon with ease. "What great Pokemon you have!"
And the final gym trainer is Twiggy. "To realize our true potential, my Pokemon and I must become connected on an emotional level!"
Then she goes for Gloom and Exeggutor, so I go with Gengar to defeat them. "It looks like you and your Pokemon are even more in tune with one another than my team is!"
When we finally reach the top, we find Ramos, who says, "Oh, you finally made it."
"Ramos! I want to have our battle right away, please?" I ask.
"You've arrived just in time. Good." Then instead of having a battle, he takes us to his study. "I was given this delicious tea as a gift."
Then we are having a tea with the old man, so we decide to relax for a while. Ramos says, "Tea breaks are always so calmin' and relaxin'."
I say, "It was great. Thank you. Now can we battle?"
"It would be wonderful if all of you helped me tend to my garden. Won't you?" Wait, we're going to help the old man with the garden?
David says, "Looks like we have some more work to do..."
"I'm not complaining. I mean, we do like to tend to the garden..." Elline says.
As I'm picking the weeds, I just want to quickly finish it, and Ramos says, "No, no. Ash, you mustn't yank the weeds out so carelessly. Look closely."
When we notice a sprout, and he says, "If you caught up with things that are right in front of you, you may lose sight of what's important. You see, the first thing you need to do is calm your mind. If you observe closely with a calm mind, you'll be able to discern the important things. Especially during Gym battles."
"Right, I get you now." I say.
"So, how about that Gym battle of ours?" Ramos asks.
"Great. Thanks a lot." Then it is finally time for my gym battle, and we're now at the battlefield. I ask Serena to let Goomy out to watch the battle because Goomy wants to become strong.
"So what'd yeh think, whippersnapper? Did yeh enjoy the garden playground I made with all these sturdy plants o' mine? Their strength is a sign o' my strength as a gardener and a Gym Leader! Yeh sure yer up to facing all that? Now Jumpluff, let's go!"
The first Pokemon I'm using is Skrelp, Clemont says, "Skrelp is a Poison Type, so it has a big advantage over Grass Type Pokemon."
I decide to with the first move by using Poison Tail, but it was unsuccessful due to Jumpluff's Cotton Guard.
"That should've been super effective. What's happening?" Elline asks.
"Because Jumpluff uses Cotton Guard, that allowed it to raise its defenses." Serena says.
Jumpluff goes for Sunny Day, and I decide to have it use Tackle, but Jumpluff dodges with great speed.
"Jumpluff has an ability called Chlorophyll which increases its speed in sunny weather." Clemont says.
"Then we'll use Double Team!" I say while Skrelp creates a bunch of copies, then I have it use Sludge Bomb, though Jumpluff tries to go with Cotton Guard, the attack still goes through and in the end, Jumpluff is unable to battle.
"Nice, Skrelp!" I say.
"That was most impressive, my boy." Ramos says. "Now, Weepinbell, go!"
Weepinbell... I see. I was kinda expecting that Pokemon. I keep Skrelp on the field, and I have Skrelp go for Waterfall, but Weepinbell dodges, also having the Chlorophyll as ability too.
"Then use Sludge Bomb!" "Dodge and use Slam!"
Just then, much to my surprise, Skrelp is slammed to the ground by the Skrelp, it struggles to get up, but Weepinbell goes for Razor Leaf, knocking Skrelp out of the battle. David says, "That isn't good, Skrelp is also a Water Type, which means that Grass moves deal neutral effective against Skrelp."
I rush to Skrelp and recall him, then I decide to go with Pokeball Vivillon as my next Pokemon. I try to start with Air Slash, which scores a direct hit against Weepinbell.
"Keep up the offense with Bug Buzz!" I say. But Weepinbell goes for Poison Powder, and Vivillon is now poisoned.
"Oh, no!" I gasp.
"If this keeps up, I'm afraid the poison will drain Vivillon's energy!" Clemont says.
"Hang in there, Vivillon!" I say.
With the poison slowing Vivillon down, Vivillon falls victim to a consecutive combo of Razor Leaf and Slam.
"Let's do this quick before the poison drains Vivillon's energy. Vivillon! Struggle Bug!" I say, but Weepinbell goes for Grass Knot to slam it back to the ground. Then I try doing it again, and this time I manage to hit Weepinbell, but it goes for Slam, knocking Vivillon out.
I recall Vivillon and Serena says, "One more Pokemon left..."
"This will be Ash's last chance." Clemont says.
I sigh before taking out my final Pokemon. "Okay, Braixen! I choose you!"
When I send out Braixen, she stares at the Weepinbell with courage. Bonnie says, "He's using Braixen?"
"Braixen wants to try out the gym battles, which is why she has been working hard." Serena says.
"Let's go, Braixen! Hidden Power!" Braixen goes for the attack, but Weepinbell just dodges. "Flame Charge!"
Braixen starts to charge up and Ramos says, "That's a nice Flame Charge, Weepinbell, use Grass Knot!"
Just then, when Braixen is about to get close, Weepinbell goes for Grass Knot, and then trips Braixen to the ground.
"That was really great precision." Elline says.
Weepinbell goes for Razor Leaf, but Braixen uses Fire Spin to block it, and when it tries for Poison Powder, Braixen spins the stick, and the powder isn't affecting her.
"I never would've thought of that in a million years." Ramos says.
"Use Flame Charge one more time!" I say as Braixen is charging again, but before Weepinbel can use Grass Knot, Braixen goes for Flamethrower, destroying the grass and hitting Weepinbell, knocking it out.
"We did it, Braixen!" I say as Braixen is proud of herself.
"Ramos has one Pokemon left too." Serena says.
"Everything depends on which Pokemon Ramos chooses." Clemont says.
"Now. Here we go!" The third Pokemon is Gogoat, and I know he's going to use it. After Braixen's Flamethrower collides with Gogoat's Vine Whip, I try to use Flame Charge once more.
"Use Vine Whip!" Just then, the Vine slams Braixen back to the ground. "Braixen! Are you okay?"
Ramos pats Gogoat on the horn, and he says, "You're having fun, aren't you? Well, I'm havin' fun too."
"Use Hidden Power!" I command, and Ramos says, "Now, no rushin', no fuss. Razor Leaf!"
Gogoat uses Razor Leaf to distract Braixen before approaching with another Razor Leaf from above. Clemont says, "First it used Razor Leaf to evade and then to attack."
"Use Flame Charge again!" I say, but Gogoat goes for Leech Seed, but Braixen uses its stick to cut through it and use Flame Charge to hit Gogoat.
"Great, Braixen!" I say.
"Not bad. So, up next, Horn Leech!" Much to my shock, Gogoat goes for Horn Leech which sucks Braixen's energy, and then it goes for Leech Seed, trapping Braixen.
"No way!" I gasp as Braixen is trying to struggle from the vines.
"The reason Gogoat is able to use that move so well is because my Pokemon and I believe in each other." Ramos says. "A hundred percent."
"I believe in my Pokemon too. Of course, I believe in Braixen too. But at this rate, it looks like..."
Just then, our Pokemon are trying to tell me not to give up, and I smile, "Braixen! Everything's okay. I promise you there's no way we're going to lose this battle."
Braixen nods as she gets back up. Gogoat and Ramos are getting even more excited about the battle and Gogoat uses Razor Leaf to surround Braixen, and Braixen is trying to use Psybeam to counter the leaves.
That's when I remember Ramos' words. I say, "Braixen, don't get distracted by that Razor Leaf. Feel Gogoat's presence on the other side of it!"
Braixen then closes her eyes and starts to find Gogoat, and that's when it uses Psybeam, hitting the Gogoat.
"Now use Flame Charge and Flamethrower!" I yell, and with the combination, Gogoat is finally out of the battle.
"We did it!" I say as Braxien and I share a hug. Ramos says, "That last move was fantastic."
"It's all because of the things you taught me." I say. "You said if I got too caught up with the things in front of me, I'd lose sight of what's important. And that's why I decided to use Flame Charge as a battling tool. To raise my little plant."
"Yeh believe in yer Pokémon... And they believe in yeh, too... Mighty oaks from acorns grow. Go on, then. Yeh've earned it. Here's yer own Plant Badge, sprout."
I take my fourth gym badge, and Ramos says, "If yeh've got yerself a Plant Badge, then yeh can use the HM Fly even when not battling. It's a real boon. Pokémon up to Lv. 60 will listen to yeh, too, easy as falling off a log. Even if yeh got 'em from a trade."
Then I turn to Serena, "Okay, Serena, now it is your turn."
"Yeah, my first Pokemon Showcase. And I'm so psyched!" Serena says, and Braixen is also cheering for her.
Before that, we notice that the city is having the Coumarine City Festival. Ramos tells us how, every year, the people of Coumarine City hold a festival to celebrate the bonds between Trainers and their Pokémon by having the Trainers gather under an enormous tree, the Pledging Tree, at sunset and give special presents to their Pokémon. This tradition began with a legend of a man and his Pokémon traveling far and wide together before finally coming to a stop at what would become Coumarine City, and planting a tree that eventually grew to become the Pledging Tree.
"That's so sweet." I say as we decide to find some gifts for our Pokemon, and we decide to separate to find our gifts, and we also leave our Pokemon with Bonnie since we want them to be surprised.
Now Serena and I are alone, and I ask, "What are you going to give our Pokemon, Serena?"
"I'm not sure yet." Serena says. We take on the monorail and we decide to check out every store. We find some Incense, and also some battle items, we also notice some cute outfits for Pokemon to wear, and when we notice an outfit, Serena says, "It's adorable... you know, if I wore an outfit like this at the Showcases..."
"You're right, that will be great." I say, "But remember, we're shopping for our Pokemon first."
"Yeah..." Serena seems to be down a little. We also met a shop owner who has been trying to give me the battle items even though I ask him to wait, and it is too much that I fall to the floor.
"Ash, are you okay?" Serena helps me up and I mutter, "Just great..."
After we buy some items, it is time for us to head back, but just as I walk into the store, I was somehow being congratulated on being the millionth person to get to the monorail. And I also get a gift from them.
"I never expected I'd be the one to get a gift." I say.
Serena says, "But come to think about it, you're also a Pokemon that belongs to me, Lillie, and Alice as well. So what did they give you?"
I open the present and find that it is a pretty blue ribbon, and then we are back to the Pokemon Center and we find the others already there and they're waiting for us. Bonnie decides to give all of the Pokémon a present herself by drawing a portrait of all of them because she also wants to give a present to Pokemon as well.
The time has come, and we decide to give our gifts, the ceremony begins and everybody begins exchanging gifts. Serena and I gave out the gifts for them, Pikachu a small cap, Braixen a decorated stick, Pancham sunglasses, Eevee a pink ribbon, Absol a horn bracelet, Zoroark a pendant, Lucario a wristband, Skiddo a collar, Vivillon a special honey, Quilladin a cake, Skrelp a small kelp, and Goomy some leaves. All of them like the presents.
Clemont and David are showing their wind-up music boxes, while Elline also gives out some props for her Pokemon as well. It is then we notice a box with a card. Clemont says, "The card says, 'to Serena.' This present is for you, Serena!" Clemont says.
When she opens it, it is actually a beautiful dress. Nurse Joy comes and says that it is delivered by Grace herself. We call her from the Rotom Phone, and she says, "I figured if you were going to enter the Pokemon Showcase, you'd want a brand-new outfit. You never like any of the outfits I pick out for you, so I ask Alice and Flora to help you out."
"That's so sweet." Serena says.
"I know you're going to be amazing. Good luck." Grace says.
As the fireworks are going on, I say, "Serena." I take out the box and says, "Here, take this. I wanted you to have something from me."
"But what for?" Serena asks.
"Well..." I start to blush a little. "I just want to thank you for everything you've done during our journeys together."
Serena also blushes a little and she takes the box and smiles, "Thank you, Ash. I'll always treasure it."
Here it is, the gym chapter and also the festival. The next chapter will be Serena's first showcase and I hope you like it.
Ash and Serena's Pokemon:
Venusaur, Charizard x2, Blastoise, Pikachu x2, Alakazam, Gengar, Kangaskhan, Pinsir, Gyarados (Shiny), Eevee, Aerodactyl, Ampharos, Scizor, Heracross, Houndoom, Tyranitar, Gardevoir (Shiny), Mawile, Aggron, Medicham, Manectric, Banette, Absol, Garchomp, Lucario, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Quilladin, Braixen, Frogadier, Diggersby, Fletchinder, Vivillon x20, Litleo, Florges (Rainbow), Skiddo, Pancham, Furfrou, Espurr x2, Honedge, Aromatisse, Slurpuff, Inkay, Binacle, Skrelp, Clauncher, Heliolisk, Tyrunt, Amarua (Shiny), Hawlucha, Dedenne, Carbink, Goomy, Yveltal, Diancie